She urges followers to ‘keep your eyes on Iran’ amid protests and a nationwide internet blackout
Dua Lipa. Photo: file
Dua Lipa has taken to her Instagram story to address the escalating situation in Iran, where widespread protests have been met with severe internet blackouts that have cut most of the country off from the rest of the world. In her message shared via her Service95 platform, the singer urged her followers to pay attention to what’s happening and not look away.
“In Iran, we are seeing slaughter at a scale like never before,” the statement read, with Dua Lipa captioning it on her story, “Keep your eyes on Iran.” The post highlighted concerns from human rights activists that more than 90 million Iranians have been cut off from global communication, stopping information both coming in and going out as authorities restrict internet access amid ongoing unrest.
The nationwide blackout has made it extremely difficult for people inside Iran to connect with the outside world or share live updates about conditions on the ground. Internet monitoring groups and activists have warned that these shutdowns are part of efforts to silence protesters and conceal violent crackdowns by security forces.
Dua Lipa’s post drew attention to the human cost of these measures. It quoted activists noting that the lack of connectivity affects nearly the entire population, a move that activists say not only isolates Iranian citizens from news and support but also disrupts attempts to organise protest movements and document potential human rights abuses.
The reaction online has been significant, with many of her fans thanking the singer for using her platform to spotlight the crisis. Some Iranians and diaspora communities expressed appreciation that a global figure was amplifying their plight at a time when international awareness is critical. Others have criticised or debated celebrity involvement in geopolitics, but the overall response highlighted how Lipa’s message helped draw wider attention to the blackout and protests.
Lipa was musically influenced by her father, who was the lead singer and guitarist of the Kosovan rock band Oda. Her father continued to play music at home, including his own compositions and songs of artists such as David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Sting, the Police, and Stereophonics. Dua Lipa began singing at the age of five.
Lipa grew up in West Hampstead, London. She attended Fitzjohn’s Primary School and her music lessons there included the cello. When she auditioned to enter the school choir, the teacher told her that she could not sing. At the age of nine, she began weekend singing lessons at the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Lipa moved with her family to Pristina after Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
‘The Secret Agent’ director links current boom in film industry to the return of the leftist president
The Secret Agent. Photo: YouTube
BRASILIA:
Brazil’s latest Oscar-nominated thriller “The Secret Agent” has resonated with audiences around the world as a universal tale of authoritarian regimes using their power “to crush people,” director Kleber Mendonca Filho told AFP in an interview.
Following on “I’m Still Here,” winner of last year’s Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, the new film about Brazil’s 1964-1985 dictatorship has captivated Hollywood.
Fresh from winning two Golden Globes, the period thriller picked up four Oscar nominations on Thursday — Best Picture, Best International Feature Film, Best Actor for Wagner Moura and Best Casting.
Mendonca Filho, the director of 2016’s “Aquarius,” about a woman refusing to be driven out of her home by developers, and 2019’s anti-imperialism drama “Bacurau,” links the current boom in the Brazilian film industry to the return to power of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2023.
Under Lula’s far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, “culture was extinguished in Brazil,” he said.
Mendonca Filho spoke with AFP from Recife, his hometown in northeastern Brazil, where he received the news of the Oscar nominations.
In the film set in Recife, Moura — of “Civil War,” “Elite Squad” and “Narcos” fame — plays a university professor recently arrived from Sao Paulo, who is unaware that he is being hunted by hitmen linked to the military regime.
Mendonca Filho lavished Moura with praise, saying “he’s a great actor, a great artist and a great person. And he’s exactly where he should be” among the nominees for best performance.
Below are excerpts from the interview, edited for clarity.
How do you explain this moment in Brazilian cinema?
“Brazilian cinema reconnected with the current with Lula’s election in 2022, after four years in which culture, practically speaking, was extinguished in Brazil,” Mendonca Filho said.
“The Ministry of Culture was eliminated. All support mechanisms were deactivated.
“(The) two films that were very well received in Brazil and internationally, ‘I Am Still Here’ and ‘The Secret Agent,’ became showcase films for Brazilian cinema.”
What’s the global appeal of a film about Brazil’s last dictatorship?
“I think any story about the use of power to crush people will always be universal,” Mendonca Filho said.
“The world today is the same one of wars, invasions, land grabs, the use of military or personal power, aggression and battles — it’s nothing new. What’s shocking is that the same mistakes keep being made.
“When I wrote ‘The Secret Agent,’ I initially thought it would be set in 1977, but I began to realize that the film spoke a lot to the logic of Brazil in 2019 or 2021 (under Bolsonaro). A logic passed down from the past.
“In the midst of 21st-century democracy, a group of politicians decided to revive the iconography, the words, the methods and the lack of ethics of the military regime.”
How did US audiences receive the film?
“The reaction is very positive. Many people in contemporary America can identify with its story. I think the reaction is largely due to the historical moment the United States is going through,” Mendonca Filho said.
Does cinema have a political role to play?
“I don’t see any obligation to make political films,” Mendonca Filho said.
“If you make a film or tell a story honestly, frankly and knowledgeably, you will probably contribute to a better understanding of a country or society.
“My films have contributed to the debate in some way, but they weren’t designed for that purpose.
“I don’t make films to be symbols of resistance, but I believe that art, artistic expression, can function very well as a form of resistance.”
The film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 18 May, where it received widespread acclaim and became the festival’s most awarded film, winning the Best Actor award for Moura, the Best Director award for Mendonça Filho, the Art House Cinema Award and the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film.
Two women had alleged they suffered sexual and other forms of abuse while working at Iglesias’s properties in 2021
Julio Iglesias. Photo: file
MADRID:
Spanish prosecutors on Friday shelved a sex abuse and human trafficking complaint against veteran singer Julio Iglesias, saying Spain’s courts had no jurisdiction in the case.
Two women — a domestic worker and a physiotherapist — alleged they had suffered sexual and other forms of abuse while working at Iglesias’s properties in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in 2021.
The allegations dominated headlines in Spain after being aired last week in a joint investigation by online Spanish newspaper elDiario.es and US television network Univision.
But the preliminary investigation was dismissed because of a “lack of jurisdiction of the Spanish courts”, Spanish prosecutors wrote in their decision.
After reviewing the complaint, they said they could not open an investigation because the victims “are foreign” and “do not reside in Spain”, and the accused is also outside the country.
Madrid-born Iglesias, 82, lives between Miami, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.
The alleged acts took place “in countries fully competent” to investigate them, the prosecutors added.
Advocacy groups Women’s Link Worldwide and Amnesty International had said a complaint filed with Spanish prosecutors on January 5 outlined alleged acts that could be considered “a crime of human trafficking for the purpose of forced labour” and “crimes against sexual freedom”.
The two organisations called the prosecutors’ decision “regrettable” and said the two women “will continue fighting for justice and will pursue all available legal avenues”, in a statement published in elDiario.es.
Spanish prosecutors said their ruling does not prevent the women from filing their complaint in other jurisdictions.
Jurisdiction issue
According to testimony collected by the two groups, Iglesias subjected the women to “sexual harassment, regularly checked their mobile phones, restricted their ability to leave the home where they worked, and required them to work up to 16 hours a day without days off”.
Iglesias called the accusations “absolutely false”, saying he had never “abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman”.
“I have never felt such malice, but I still have the strength to let people know the whole truth and to defend my dignity against such a serious accusation,” he added in an Instagram message last week.
Iglesias’s lawyer, Jose Antonio Choclan, told Spain’s top criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, earlier this week that the alleged acts should be prosecuted where they occurred, requesting the case be closed.
The complaint was submitted in Spain and not the Caribbean countries where the crimes allegedly took place because of the nature of Spanish legislation on gender-based violence and trafficking, Women’s Link Worldwide said.
Iglesias, father of fellow superstar singer Enrique Iglesias, is a Grammy winner with more than 300 million records sold in a career spanning decades.
In 1983, Iglesias was credited as having recorded songs in the most languages in the world, and in 2013 for being the best-selling male Latin artist of all-time. In April 2013 in Beijing, he was honoured as the most popular international artist in China. In Brazil, France, Italy and elsewhere, Iglesias is the most successful foreign record seller, while in his home country, Spain, he has sold the most records in history, with 23 million records.
During his career, Iglesias has won many awards in the music industry, including the Grammy, Latin Grammy, World Music Award, Billboard Music Award, American Music Award and Lo Nuestro Award.
The renowned painter was known for his unfiltered portrayals of life in Lahore’s ‘Heera Mandi’
Pakistani artist Iqbal Hussain. Photo: file
Pakistani artist Iqbal Hussain passed away earlier this week at the age of 75. A graduate of the National College of Arts (NCA), he was best known for his uncompromising portrayals of life in Lahore’s Heera Mandi, a subject he returned to throughout his career.
Born and raised in the historic neighbourhood, Hussain painted from lived experience, featuring women from the red-light district, without embellishment or moral commentary.
In one of the most referenced episodes of his life, Hussain’s paintings were barred from being exhibited at Lahore’s Alhamra Gallery due to their perceived impropriety. He responded by displaying the works on the foothpath outside, a moment that later became emblematic of his refusal to alter his practice for institutional approval.
Despite facing stigma tied to his subject matter and background, Hussain went on to gain international recognition and also taught at the National College of Arts. Alongside his figurative work, he painted landscapes of the River Ravi, which became a recurring theme in his later years.
Affectionately known as “Cuckoo,” Hussain also founded Cuckoo’s Den, the first restaurant on Lahore’s Food Street. Housed in an old haveli overlooking the Walled City, the space evolved into a cultural landmark, doubling as an informal gallery displaying his artwork, artefacts and personal collection.
Members of the art community, former students and cultural figures have begun sharing tributes, remembering Hussain for his honesty and refusal to compromise his artistic vision.
After finishing his studies at NCA in 1974, Mr. Hussain had dedicated his career to painting women of his abode – the red light district of Lahore. He had continued to live in the district to be close to the people he portrayed in his paintings— the men and mainly women, the denizens of the vicinity.
Photo: Rob Reiner reflects on Carl Reiner’s decades-long friendship with Mel Brooks in new doc
Rob Reiner reportedly remembered Mel Brooks in good words.
In the new HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!, Rob Reiner, who died on December 14, reflected on his late father Carl Reiner’s decades-long friendship with Mel Brooks, alongside tributes from fellow comedians and close friends.
The documentary revisits the deeply personal bond the comedy legends shared after both men lost their wives.
As Sarah Silverman recalls, “Mel lost his wife, and then Carl lost his wife, and then every night they spent together at Carl’s in his little living room with TV trays, eating dinner and watching a different movie every night.”
Praising the friendship, Silverman added, “I just love that kind of friendship.… I want to be able to have that kind of community with comics like they had with each other.”
Jerry Seinfeld echoed the sentiment, saying, “What a great thing that that exists. You get to see what they did, where a lifetime of gigantic achievements leads you. A living room with deli sandwiches, watching Wheel of Fortune. That’s where you get if you succeed in every possible way in life.”
Rob Reiner also shared a lighter moment, recalling how he once tried to ease the mood with a joke. “I said, ‘Maybe it would be better to stage the house with you in it.… It’ll up the value. You get Mel Brooks sitting here.’”
Notably, Rob Reiner made these reflections before his death on December 14, 2025.
Lego has perplexed its loyal fanbase by launching its first pair of shoes: a bright red set of wearable brick-shaped clogs, in collaboration with footwear giant Crocs.
Made from Crocs’ signature foam material, each pair features four studs stamped with the Lego logo, a movable heel strap and a faux anti-stud sole. They could be yours for an eye-watering $199.99.
Musician Tommy Cash was the first celebrity spotted wearing the kicks at EgnoLab’s fall 2026 display at Paris Fashion Week, stumbling awkwardly to accommodate the large size of the clogs. Cash wore the polarizing shoes paired with a black suit covered in Lego bricks, holding a red rose made from the buildable bricks.
After the collaboration was revealed this week, consumers have been sharing their confusion over the product and its high price point, with one person writing on Instagram: “$199.99? Have they gone nuts?”
“They look terrible and I want a pair so bad!” joked one onlooker on Reddit. “I lowkey need one of these just to annoy my friends,” said another.
Lego’s foray into fashion has divided onlookers (Lego)
Brick by brick: Trip hazard or fashion statement? (Lego)
Other onlookers remarked on how impractical the shoes look for the wearer.
“They have to be completely uncomfortable and awkward to walk in,” said one critic. “Looks like walking around with boxes on your feet.”
Some joked that at least the shoe would prevent any injury from accidentally stepping on tiny Lego pieces lying around on the floor. “So much comfier to step around in Lego than step on a Lego!” joked one person.
Some commenters said they were drawn in by the quirky design, with one risk-taker sharing on Instagram: “goofy as hell (I’ll take 20 pairs).”
“My husband and i will be wearing this unironically,” chimed another.
Lego has priced the kicks at $199.99 per pair (Lego)
Fans were similarly divided over Mschf’s big red boots, which launched in 2023 (StockX)
The uproar around the shoes is reminiscent of the reaction to Brooklyn-based brand Mschf’s cartoonish big red boots, which went viral in 2023 after they divided the internet. At the time, the boots – made out of rubber – drew comparison to the footwear worn by the comic book character Astroboy.
Lego has said its collaboration with Crocs is aimed at teenagers over the age of 14.
“Everything you’ve ever dreamed of building begins in the Lego Brick Clog,” the two companies said in their announcement.
“Introducing a new and imaginative silhouette, constructed with the playfulness of Crocs and the boundless creativity of the Lego brick, it’s fun footwear that inspires youto build, rebuild and reinvent what makes you you.”
Massachusetts-based Lily Fitts originally gained a following for her viral song covers, which were shared by artists like The Lumineers and Noah Kahan. Her debut album “Getting By” captured attention for its honest and raw lyrics, and she’s got more coming soon. Here’s Lily Fitts performing “Brown Eyed Baby.”
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Massachusetts-based Lily Fitts originally gained a following for her viral song covers, which were shared by artists like The Lumineers and Noah Kahan. Her debut album “Getting By” captured attention for its honest and raw lyrics, and she’s got more coming soon. Here’s Lily Fitts performing “Lose You Now.”
Jordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.
The 2026 NFL draft is rapidly approaching, as it kicks off April 23 in Pittsburgh. So let’s re-rank the quarterback class. Who are the best passers on the board?
Six QBs who were on the initial Hot Board are no longer here, but we did add four new names. The NFL’s early-entry declaration deadline has passed, though we’re still waiting to hear what will happen with Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss‘ eligibility status, so the class could still change. And with all-star events, the combine and pro days ahead of us, these rankings are far from final.
Let’s get to it and rank the 12 best QBs in the 2026 class as of now.
Where he excels: There always seems to be a quarterback who quickly surges from Day 2-3 consideration before the season into early Round 1 (see Jayden Daniels and Cam Ward). Mendoza fills that role in this class. He transferred to Indiana in the offseason after spending his first three seasons at Cal. There was plenty of buzz from scouts about Mendoza this past summer, but many wanted to take a wait-and-see approach prior to the season. He delivered, finishing with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and only six interceptions to win the Heisman Trophy and lead the Hoosiers to their first national championship.
Attaching isolated or singular routes behind run-game concepts has been beneficial for Mendoza, who is comfortable with reads that put single defenders in conflict. He has a fiery, three-quarters throwing release, making Mendoza’s mechanics and the Hoosiers’ passing game an ideal marriage. His 79.2% adjusted completion percentage ranked second in the country. He was also phenomenal in the red zone this season, with his 27 touchdowns (without an interception) being the most in the FBS, three ahead of Duke’s Darian Mensah.
Toughness and overcoming in-game adversity are two of Mendoza’s hallmark traits. He helped lead the Hoosiers to a Week 7 road win at Oregon, pieced together an 80-yard, game-winning drive at Penn State, and overcame Ohio State in a physical Big Ten championship game in which he was temporarily knocked out of the game early. He capped everything off with a gutty touchdown run for the game-winning points in the College Football National Championship game against Miami. It’s as good of a résumé that a quarterback prospect can have from an adversity and toughness standpoint. That’s why Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to be picked by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick.
Where he needs work: While Mendoza is comfortable within the confines of the pocket, he struggles when forced off his original launch point. When required to move, Mendoza had a 53.2% completion percentage this season. Many of his inaccurate throws this season came when moved off his original launch point, flushed outside the pocket or forced into scramble situations. When facing true pressure, his completion percentage dropped to 50%.
Mendoza has separated himself as the top passer in this year’s class, but one thing at the next level which will be relatively new is operating from under center. He played out of the shotgun almost exclusively this season, taking only 3% of his snaps under center. Working under center is important in the NFL, as it keeps defenses honest and helps further the influence of play-action on defenders, so Mendoza will have to work on those mechanics.
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 208 pounds Class: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Late Round 1-Early Day 2
Where he excels: After a disappointing performance in Week 1 against Florida State, Simpson had a hot streak during the middle of his first season as a starter. During an eight-game stretch that included four top-16 ranked opponents (Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Tennessee), Simpson threw for 1,954 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and only one interception while completing 71.9% of his passes. Simpson showed that he’s a calm passer with slightly above average arm strength and that there isn’t much that fazes him in the pocket.
There isn’t a throw that Simpson feels that he’s incapable of making, as his toughness and confidence have shined in spurts this season. The son of longtime UT-Martin head coach Jason Simpson, Ty’s football smarts and awareness are easy to see. Simpson was given a lot of pre-snap autonomy and was frequently seen altering protections and plays. His recognition of defenses is well beyond a typical QB prospect with 15 career starts.
Simpson’s pocket maneuverability is among the best of any passer in this year’s class. He is also an underrated athlete who can make things happen outside of structure. Of his 30 total touchdowns this season (28 passing, two rushing), seven came when Simpson was outside of the pocket. He’s savvy with recognizing and adjusting to pre-snap looks.
“I wouldn’t draft him until Day 2, but I think he has a chance to go in that 20-32 range,” an AFC area scout said. “It’s because the demand will highly outweigh the quality of supply in this year’s class.”
Where he needs work: Simpson sometimes doesn’t recognize when a play is over. He tends to hold the ball longer than necessary and run around in circles in the pocket while trying to extend plays that are clearly busted. Therefore, he loses yardage with negative plays that could have been avoided by checking down, running or tossing the ball out of bounds.
Simpson’s accuracy suffered down the stretch, resulting in an 11.2% off-target percentage that ranked 63rd in the FBS. And downfield passing is another area that scouts have repeatedly brought up as an area of concern, as Simpson completed only 37.3% of his passes of 20 or more air yards in 2025.
And despite his background, Simpson’s lack of starts is a concern. Many scouts remain cautious due to that small sample size.
play
0:58
Why Mel Kiper Jr. has some concern about Ty Simpson
Mel Kiper Jr. examines whether Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is a first-round pick after he declared for the draft.
Height: 6-foot | Weight: 200 pounds Class: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 2
Where he excels: There might not be a better story in college football than Chambliss. After spending four seasons at Division II Ferris State, he transitioned to the SEC. Chambliss started the season backing up Austin Simmons but grabbed the starting job against Arkansas in the third game of the season. Chambliss didn’t look back, helping lead the Rebels to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. He ended the season with 3,937 passing yards and 22 touchdowns to only three interceptions. He passed for more than 300 yards in eight of his 13 starts and showed electric playmaking ability.
He’s a decisive, accurate thrower inside the pocket with a sudden release that allows his passes to come out in a hurry. Chambliss has the arm strength to attack all three levels of the field, while his mobility keeps defenses off-balance and honest. He is a quick-footed signal-caller who can create opportunities outside of structure and is a good thrower on the move. With 527 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, he’s a reliable extension of the QB design run game. With an undersized but compact frame, Chambliss smartly avoids contact, routinely sliding in the open field prior to being exposed to defenders.
Where he needs work: Considering that 2025 was his first and only season at the Division I level, there’s still a lot of projection. There were moments when he attempted plays that worked in Division II but were a struggle against SEC competition. Chambliss also tended to pass up safe, easy underneath options in the hunt for a big gain. Understanding that he doesn’t have to go for explosive plays every time is the next step in his development.
The Ole Miss passing scheme doesn’t translate well to the NFL, with half-field reads and free-access throws making up a bulk of the Rebels’ passing concepts. Chambliss will have to be able to get through progressions that involve multiple steps and eliminate early options based on coverages at the next level. He must show more comfort with those types of reads.
The X factor: Chambliss is currently seeking an injunction to allow for a sixth year of eligibility. His waiver petitioning for that extra year has already been denied by the NCAA, and he has filed a suit in Mississippi in an attempt to play for the Rebels in 2026. We will consider him part of the 2026 class until the situation is resolved.
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 205 pounds Class: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 2-Early Day 3
Where he excels: Nussmeier entered the season with heightened expectations after a promising first year as starter. He showed flashes in 2024, throwing for 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. That had many evaluators believing that he had the potential to rise to the top of the 2026 QB class. But things didn’t work out that way, as Nussmeier took a clear step back, with 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games. He battled multiple injuries in 2025, including patellar tendinitis in his knee.
Nussmeier primarily operates from the pocket and plays with fearless anticipation. He throws accurately to spots in the intermediate game while showing an excellent gauge on route depth and where his receivers will finish on passing concepts. Nussmeier has a flexible arm, allowing him to easily alter his arm slots and ball trajectories to fit passes into spots. He navigates the pocket well, is aware of outlets and gets the ball out of his hand quickly.
Where he needs work: Nussmeier was reduced to attacking primarily the short area of the field this season due to LSU’s scheme of quick-hitters and frequent screen passes. While he does get to unleash the occasional go ball, he averaged only 6.4 air yards per target (130th in the FBS). LSU’s running game being ranked 126th in the FBS didn’t help matters, either.
He also has a propensity to be a daredevil with the ball, which can be a gift and a curse. Nussmeier has sporadic moments of carelessness because of his confidence in being able to anticipate. Many evaluators feel that Nussmeier has the profile of a middle-to-late round prospect who has the talent, awareness and mentality to stay in the league for more than a decade as a backup and eventually develop into a spot starter.
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 220 pounds Class: Sixth-year senior | Projected range: Late Day 2-Early Day 3
Where he excels: Once regarded as a candidate for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, Beck’s inconsistencies resulted in him entering the transfer portal after a disappointing final season at Georgia. But Beck started to revive his draft stock at Miami. A rhythmic passer who is at his best when allowed to play on-beat, he finished with 3,813 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season.
Beck was helped by a more consistent and improved receiving structure around him and looked more like what he showed in 2023 versus 2024. He is a balanced pocket passer who wants to methodically dissect and deliver against defenses. His game is centered around accuracy and decisiveness, so he wastes little time getting the ball out and remains synchronized with progressions. His 74.8% adjusted completion percentage this season was the eighth-highest mark among all FBS passers.
Even though his season ended on a disappointing note with a game-ending interception against Indiana in the National Championship game, the chemistry between Miami’s protection, playmakers and Beck formed the perfect marriage. Because of that, many scouts view Beck as a middle round option.
Where he needs work: Teams that have been able to consistently generate early pressure against Beck have been able to knock him off his game. Beck’s off-target percentage when his feet are planted (9.7%) this season was significantly different than when he’s forced to move (21.4%) from his original launch point.
Beck needs to be drafted by a team where he’s the final piece of the puzzle rather than one that lacks surrounding playmakers; he’s more reliant on good infrastructure than most QBs. The Miami offensive line was key, as Beck’s 17.1% pressure rate faced was the lowest in the FBS. He got an average of 2.9 seconds to throw the ball. Beck was able to play within the confines of the offense while not being forced to make plays outside of the scheme. But can he hold up when conditions are less ideal?
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 235 pounds Class: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 2-Early Day 3
Where he excels: Allar has prototypical size and arm strength. He also has plenty of experience, having started 35 games and played in 45 overall. He made a noticeable leap from his sophomore to junior season, increasing his completion percentage from 59.9% in 2023 to 66.5% in 2024. Upon announcing his return to school, Allar was immediately expected to be one of the best QBs in this class.
That didn’t happen. A disappointing loss at home against Oregon in double overtime in which Allar threw the game-ending interception was followed by losses to UCLA and Northwestern. He suffered a broken left ankle in the Northwestern game and was sidelined for the season. Prior to the injury, Allar had 1,100 passing yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
He’s an above-average intermediate passer who isn’t afraid to test tight windows and can accurately hit routes in between the numbers. He exhausts progressions and delivers to targets, and he has more than enough arm strength to succeed at the next level. He also has the mobility to navigate the pocket and gain yardage that’s available.
Where he needs work: Allar’s accuracy regressed, as his 12.5% off-target percentage ranked 94th in the FBS, and Allar has moments where he puts the ball too high or low. He tends to make receivers work harder than they should to secure catches.
“The biggest issue is that he looks good against the low- and middle-tier teams, but he just hasn’t had that signature performance any time that he plays against the elite ones,” an AFC assistant general manager said.
In a traits-based league, I believe that there will be a team that convinces itself to draft Allar early because of his physical attributes and a belief it can reconstruct his lower half to improve his ball placement. Allar will need to be in a true under-center, dropback offense that attacks the intermediate and deeper portions of the field.
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 224 pounds Class: Fifth-year senior | Projected range: Early Day 3
Where he excels: Green immediately became the Razorbacks’ starter after transferring from Boise State following the 2023 season. He had 2,714 passing yards, 19 touchdown throws and 11 interceptions this season, along with 771 rushing yards (12th most among FBS QBs) and two touchdowns on the ground. He had eight games with 50 or more rushing yards. Green’s long stride puts teams in a bind when he runs. Green also has the arm talent to get the ball to the spots he wants with his elongated over-the-top release.
He has shown the ability to make explosive plays with both his arm (14 completions of 20-plus air yards) and his legs. He will likely be a popular middle-round target for teams looking to develop a toolsy passer with upside.
Where he needs work: Green’s warts were noticeable as the season went on, most notably the time he takes to pass the ball. His 3.13-second average time to throw ranked 134th out of 138 quarterbacks in the FBS, and his indecisiveness in the short-to-intermediate areas was a big reason.
Green has also struggled facing pressure. All 27 times he was sacked this season came against true pressure, and he completed only 38.6% of his passes in those situations.
Where he excels: With four starters returning along the Tigers’ offensive line and his top three wide receivers back for another season, I thought Klubnik had the best supporting cast in the country and had a prime opportunity to build off a breakout 2024. That’s part of why I had him as the No. 1 pick in my way-too-early mock draft in May. But Klubnik finished with 2,943 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s most comfortable operating off play-action, as he had 10 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 72.7% completion percentage.
Klubnik has stretches of hot and cold play throughout games, similar to a streaky 3-point shooter. His clean throwing release allowed him to distribute the ball evenly to all his targets in the underneath areas the Tigers operated in. Klubnik is also a threat as a runner when forced to break the pocket.
Where he needs work: Klubnik has a lot of borderline-average traits but doesn’t have one superior trait. Outside of his Week 6 performance against North Carolina (22-of-24, 254 yards and 4 TDs), Klubnik hesitated throwing the ball on time, too. I saw him up close against LSU in the season opener and noticed that he had timing troubles when reading concepts. His anticipation skills have been lacking, and he defaulted to waiting for teammates to get open before throwing.
His mechanics tend to wane when facing pressure, and his accuracy becomes scattershot. Klubnik completed only 48.5% of his passes when facing true pressure. There were mixed opinions of Klubnik entering the season, but thoughts of him being a middle-to-late round passer have become more of a consensus. Klubnik will be participating in the Shrine Bowl, and the week of practices and meetings with NFL teams will be pivotal to his draft stock.
Where he excels: Robertson has an effective throwing motion, which helped him distribute the ball in Baylor’s spread-and-shred offense. After transferring from Mississippi State, he took the reins of the QB1 spot early in the 2024 season and orchestrated one of the more explosive units in the country the past two seasons.
Robertson finished his college career with back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons, with 3,681 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2025. He’s always looking to attack vertically, as his 26 completions of 20-plus air yards were the 12th most in the FBS. Robertson is a quick, decisive decision-maker who gets the ball out in a hurry. He knows where his options are in passing concepts and shows a willingness to throw the ball to any accessible receiver, no matter where he is on the field.
Where he needs work: Robertson’s accuracy and pocket feel can waver when defenses speed him up and his base isn’t set. His 12 interceptions this season were tied for fifth most among FBS QBs, and Robertson had three games where he threw at least two interceptions. His decision-making would waver in the fourth quarter, when he threw six interceptions. Underthrown passes and misreading underneath coverages were the two major culprits in his turnovers and missed opportunities.
Where he excels: Payton continues the long-running tradition of decorated North Dakota State passers. After missing the final eight games of the 2024 season with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, he bounced back in 2025, finishing with 3,188 passing yards, 29 total TDs (16 passing, 13 rushing), and four interceptions.
Payton is a strong dual-threat option with a frame that allows him to make difficult throws from the pocket and showcase his ability as a runner. He is tough in the pocket and able to withstand big hits from defenders while still throwing accurately. Payton is an excellent downfield passer, as his strong base, touch and feel help him deliver drop-in-the-bucket passes. Designed QB runs and short-yardage situations are successful with him because of his vision and willingness to fight through and shrug off would-be tacklers.
There are teams that have him as an athlete on their board, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Payton experiments at other positions during the predraft process, starting with the Senior Bowl.
“He was finally healthy this year prior to that game in the playoffs and I actually liked his film quite a bit,” an AFC scout assigned to the Midwest said. “We thought he was more of a Taysom Hill-type with the ability to do more than just pass it around.”
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Cole Payton throws 78-yard touchdown pass vs. Illinois State
Cole Payton connects for 78-yard TD pass
Where he needs work: Payton has a full-circle throwing motion that includes loopy mechanics. He must become less reliant on his upper body to generate power in his throws, as his lower body stiffness is most notable when throwing passes to his left side. Progressing to secondary options and overall pocket awareness are other things that he needs to improve. He also has a habit of locking on to first reads and being unaware of underneath targets. And finally, Payton also needs to use his mobility more by taking off to run when plays break down or when early options aren’t available.
Payton suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand during the team’s second-round loss in the FCS playoffs. He is expected to be healed in time for practices in Mobile, but it is an injury to monitor.
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 205 pounds Class: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 3-UDFA
Where he excels: After transferring to Illinois from Ole Miss in 2023, Altmyer became the starter in his first year with the program. He improved every season, finishing 2025 with 3,007 passing yards and 22 touchdowns to five interceptions. Altmyer is a true point guard who gets the ball out in a hurry, spreads it around and is a swift processor of opposing defenses. He does a great job identifying breakdowns or holes in defenses, and his 8.0% off-target percentage was the eighth lowest in the FBS.
Illinois’ offense runs a mixture of light and heavy personnel sets, so Altmyer has gained experience with a variety of pre-snap positionings. He can play from under center or in the shotgun, operates well off play-action and can read out levels concepts. He can also run when opportunities present themselves, showing the escapability and quickness to outrace first- and second-level defenders.
Where he needs work: Altmyer’s confidence can be a gift and a curse, as he’ll bypass safer options in hopes of hunting for flashy plays. That daredevil mentality can prompt him to force throws into tight windows.
The Senior Bowl will give Altmyer a chance to separate himself from the rest of the late-round crop of quarterbacks. Many evaluators I spoke to this season mentioned him as one of their top candidates to be a late-round dart throw who could become a decade-plus backup quarterback in the NFL.
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 225 pounds Class: Seventh-year senior | Projected range: Late Day 3-UDFA
Where he excels: A rare seventh-year senior, Fagnano spent four seasons at Maine (2019-22) before transferring to UConn prior to the 2023 season. He experienced a breakout in 2025, finishing with 3,448 passing yards and 28 touchdowns to only one interception — a tipped pass against Air Force. Fagnano is a mechanically sound passer whose eyes, feet and throwing motion are routinely in sync. Fagnano shows comfort with scanning through full-field reads. He understands his limitations and opts to make the right throw. He also gets the ball out quick — his 2.56-second average time before pass ranked among the top 25 in the FBS.
Fagnano rose to the occasion against bigger opponents, going 2-1 against ACC opponents, including a victory over ACC champion Duke. His 14 go-ahead passing touchdowns led the FBS. Fagnano will be participating in the Shrine Bowl, which will be an opportunity for him to continue to prove his worth as a late-round possibility or priority undrafted free agent.
Where he needs work: Fagnano, who will turn 25 prior to the draft, played in an offense predicated on quick completions, as 28.8% of his attempts this season were at or behind the line of scrimmage (38th most in the FBS). Fagnano has limited arm strength and won’t wow scouts with his passing velocity. His game is more dependent on taking the safe throw than testing defenses in tighter windows.
